Utah man survives near-fatal carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty pool heater – KUTV 2News

Brenden lifting hand while in the hospital. (Photo: Courtesy of Kristie Dusenberry)

A young man in Utah is lucky to be alive after a near-fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

Brenden Dusenberry was at his apartment in Kaysville a week ago. When he woke up, he was in the hospital at Intermountain Medical Center.

His mother, Kristie Dusenberry, told 2News that a faulty pool heater caused severe carbon monoxide poisoning.

He didn't really understand what had happened, and we were in the ICU together and I told him what happened and he started crying and he says 'I could have died.' Kristie Dusenberry said. And I said yes, you could have. But you did not. And so you have to get stronger. There's more for you to do.

Kristie described her son Brenden as active. The 21-year-old loves bowling, roller blading, dancing, and jogging.

She said no one heard from him for about a day, and thats when a family member went into his apartment and found him on the floor.

Photo of Dusenberry family (Photo: Courtesy of Kristie Dusenberry)

Brenden was rushed to the hospital, where he remains. He suffered damage to his kidneys and is on dialysis, and numbness down his left side. The poisoning also irritated his heart.

In terms of where hell end up, its hard to say right now, said Dr. Lindell Weaver, Intermountain Healths medical director of hyperbaric medicine at Intermountain Medical Center and Intermountain LDS Hospital.

I think his heart will be okay, Dr. Weaver said. We worry a lot about the brain. I think his brain will likely be okay.

Dr. Weaver also explained that some patients can deteriorate later on, and that Brenden will need to be monitored for that. Dr. Lindell said that Brenden will need continued therapy for his left arm.

It's pretty much a wait and see, Dr. Weaver said. I can't go on the record and say one way or the other what's going to happen to him in that regard."

When Brenden arrived at the hospital, he was treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Dr. Weaver said there are many benefits to be treated with hyperbaric oxygen.

Brenden lifting hand while in the hospital. (Photo:{{ }}Courtesy of Kristie Dusenberry)

It washes the carbon monoxide out of the body more quickly than just breathing oxygen alone, he said. It also blocks various other downstream effects the poison causes, mostly in the brain."

Dr. Weaver said on average he treats 50 patients a year with hyperbaric oxygen due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and that hasnt changed over the years.

Brendens mom Kristie has embraced every milestone in his recovery.

Every little thing I bawled about, she told 2News. I cried over the first bite he could take of food after a week. I cried over the fact he could walk a little bit.

She said Brendens biggest fear is he cant play Magic or his Xbox with only one hand.

One thing I always thought is, well, when it's your time, Kristie said. But then I decided I changed my mind. I don't want it to be his time.

She wanted to warn others, "Get a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your house." She adds, "I did not know the major damage of carbon monoxide. I dont think many people are educated on that. I dont think a lot of people know what it can do. People need to know what is safe and what is not safe. My son was living above a garage that probably wasnt safe, but at the time, that isnt something you think about.

A GoFundMe account has been set up on behalf of theDusenberry family.

Read the original:
Utah man survives near-fatal carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty pool heater - KUTV 2News